Chiefs vs. Broncos....

"The Chiefs are the worst 9-0 team EVER."
                                                                          ---- Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

I'm willing to bet that that quote is hanging on a bulletin board somewhere in the Kansas City locker room right now.

I have been looking forward to this game since the Chiefs were 6-0; I really thought that this would be a titanic battle between two undefeated teams.  Unfortunately, the Colts blew that scenario out of the water when they handed Peyton and the ugly orange donkeys their first loss in week seven.

Still, it's going to be a great game.  This is the game where I am hoping the Chiefs gain some respect from the media. (And Vegas as well, who have the Chiefs as an 8.5 point underdog) I'm tired of hearing that Kansas City is 9-0 but plays a weak schedule.

The Chiefs SOS (strength of schedule) at the beginning of the season sits at .473, or tied for the 26th weakest schedule in football.  No one cares to mention that the Broncos SOS is .430 -- the worst in the NFL.  After all, the Broncos are legitimate contenders according to the experts.  (And with Manning, they are)

I'm also tired of hearing how the Chiefs defense is great, but has only played against a couple of good quarterbacks.

Or that the Chiefs offense ranks (or reeks, depending on who you talk to) 24th in the league.

It seems, in this day and age, a good defense cannot overshadow a weak offense.  But a good offense, er, ahem, a great quarterback, can overshadow a weak defense.  The Bronco D ranks -- what do you know -- 24th, giving up an average of 26.2 points per game.


Yes, I have been so looking forward to this game ---- then came the ugly news about Manning's MRI on his ankle. I suddenly find myself disappointed that Kansas City cannot go up against a healthy future hall of fame QB.

Why?  Because I feel this situation puts the Chiefs in an almost no win situation, a catch 22.  The media has been hyping up the Manning ankle injury almost as soon as he got sacked in the waning moments of last week's game against San Diego.

So, should the Chiefs win a squeaker, I'm sure Mr. Prisco and his cronies will shout to the Heavens that it may have been a different game if Peyton's ankle wasn't holding him back.  After all, you can't drop back as fast on a blown tread; and it's harder to plant and throw, harder to move around in the pocket under pressure.....Blah, blah, blah.  The Chiefs get lucky again....Blah, blah, blah.....

And if the Chiefs should lose?  I get nauseous just thinking about it,

"What a gutty performance by Peyton Manning tonight."

"Big players show up in big games."

"Peyton, hobbled by a bad ankle, exposed the Chiefs and their many flaws tonight."

"The Chiefs are the worst 9-1 team EVER."  ---- Pete Prisco.

The only thing that could make this nightmare situation even more unbearable is if somehow Dick Vitale called the game......

"UH-OH....ANDEEEEEE.........YOU NEED A T.O., BABY!!!!"

"LOOK AT PEYTON GO, BABY......HE'S A PTP'ER!!!!"

"UH-OH!!! UNBELIEVABLE.....CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!"

"HE'S AWESOME BABY!!!!  WITH A CAPITAL "A""

Uh....I think I just threw up a little....

Even worse, should the Chiefs, God forbid, get blown out, there will be a few people that I know that I will be hiding from.......

In the end, given the injury situation to Manning, I feel the only way the Chiefs will gain any respect is for them to come out and dominate on both sides of the ball; a balanced attack that leaves absolutely no doubt to this teams legitimacy.  (Armchair QB moment:  Charles needs to tote the rock at least 20 times for the Chiefs to have a chance to win....It's all about ball control, eating up the clock, and keeping Manning off the field)

Will it happen?  We will just have to wait and see.  Mile High as a tough place to play (I will always call it Mile High -- not, whatever in the Hell it's called now) and I still have nightmares about that place from the days of Marty.

I just can't make a prediction....I'm too much of a homer......I will sit in my rocking chair, cheer my team on (well, okay, scream at the television), keep my fingers crossed, and pray for a win and some hard earned respect.

By the way, D. Bowe,  I hope you have a monster game....That would, like, you know, in a very, very, small way, make up for that little bone headed move you made this week.

GO CHIEFS!!!!